Adjustable Headboard Frame

ABSTRACT

An adjustable headboard frame is provided that includes a left frame element, a right frame element, and a plurality of spacers that are installed between the left frame element and the right frame element. The spacers are of different lengths and are sized so that the total width of the headboard including left and right frame elements and spacer is sized to correspond with one of the standardized mattress widths, such as twin, full, queen, and king. Further, the adjustable headboard frame may then be covered by a covering to provide an adjustable headboard.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/936,896, filed Jun. 22, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically a bed is sold with or equipped with a headboard. The headboard a vertical board-like structure at the end of the bed at which the sleeper's head is usually placed. Headboards are commonly sold in many styles, shapes, and colors. However, the headboard is typically a unitary structure that is often quite heavy and bulky.

Presently, headboards are sold almost exclusive by specialty furniture retailers rather than a mass-market retailer such as Wall-Mart. Once reason that mass-market retailers are not able to sell headboards is that the typical headboard is too bulky to fit on a shelf at a retailer and the retailer would typically have to stock several different sizes of headboard in order to satisfy demand. However, at a typical mass-market retailer, shelf space is at a premium and consequently standard headboards are not desirable.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an adjustable headboard frame that is expandable to fit multiple sizes of mattresses, including twin, full, queen, and king. The adjustable headboard frame includes a left frame element, a right frame element and a plurality of interchangeable spacers that are positioned between the left and right frame element and connected to the left and right frame elements to form a rigid headboard. The plurality of spacers are sized to that the entire width of the left and right frame elements plus the spacer approximates the width of the desired mattress. Further, the adjustable headboard frame may then by covered by a fabric or leather covering to form and adjustable headboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an adjustable headboard frame system that may be adjusted to fit multiple sizes of bed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative multi-part spacer for use in the adjustable headboard frame of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an adjustable headboard frame.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a left frame element according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an assembled adjustable headboard frame including a covering over the top portion of the adjustable headboard frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an adjustable headboard frame system 100 that may be adjusted to fit multiple sizes of bed according to an embodiment of the present invention. The adjustable headboard frame system 100 includes a left frame element 110, a right frame element 120, and a king-size spacer set 130 including a top spacer 132 and a bottom spacer 134. As shown in FIG. 1, the king-size spacer set 130 includes a top spacer 132 and bottom spacer 134 sized for a king-size bed. Additional spacer sets 140, 150, and 160 are also shown for other sizes of bed as illustrated in FIG. 1 and may be substituted for the king-size top spacer 132 and bottom spacer 134.

As illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the right frame element 120 and left frame element 110 are preferably a unitary solid frame, but may be a knock-down, multi-part frame as further described below. The spacers 132, 134 attach to both the left frame element 110 and the right frame element 120. The spacers preferably connect so that the top spacer 132 is in line with the top portion of the left and right frame elements and so that the bottom spacer 134 is in line with the bottom portion of the left and right frame elements.

In operation, the adjustable headboard frame 100 is preferably packaged to include the left and right frame elements 110,120 as well as one or more spacer sets 130, 140, 150, 160. Most preferably, the adjustable headboard is packaged to include all of the spacer sets 130, 140, 150, 160, so that the adjustable headboard may be set up by a consumer regardless of the size of bed.

In operation, top spacer 132 and bottom spacer 134 are secured to both of the left frame 110 and the right frame 120. The size of the top spacer 132 and bottom spacer 134 is preferably selected so that the width of the overall assembly of frames 110-120 and spacers 132-134 has a width that is substantially the same size as a standard headboard for the type of spacers chosen.

That is, the installation of the king-size spacers as the top spacer 132 and bottom spacer 144 yields a frame and spacer structure that has a width that is substantially the same size as a standard king-size headboard. Similarly, the queen size spacers provide a structure that is substantially the same size as a queen-size headboard, and so on for the full-size and twin-size spacers.

The top spacer 132 and bottom spacer 134 may be affixed to the frames 110-120 by a variety of methods. For example, the spacers may use a threaded screw attachment or a bolt and locking nut assembly, or may use a pull-pin or spring-biased tab. Further, the spacers may be received in a socket on the frames or vice versa, or other structural, mechanical, or adhesive joining may be employed.

The spacers and the frame may be constructed of any substance, but are preferably composed of steel tubing that may be rectangular, square, circular, or oblong.

Once the top spacer 132 and the bottom spacer 134 have been affixed to both the left frame 110 and the right frame 120, they preferably form a rigid headboard frame. The lower leg elements of the left frame 110 and the right frame 120 may then be attached to a mattress frame to support a mattress, as further described below.

Additionally, once the adjustable headboard frame has been assembled, a covering may be placed over the adjustable headboard frame. For example, a customer installing the adjustable headboard frame may desire to leave it uncovered if they prefer an industrial look, but the user may alternatively purchase and install a covering for placement over or around the adjustable headboard frame in order to provide a different appearance or to cushion the headboard frame in the case of accidental contact with the headboard frame, such as accidental contact between the head of a user and the bottom spacer 134.

FIG. 5 illustrates an assembled adjustable headboard frame 510 including a covering 520 over the top portion of the adjustable headboard frame 510. In FIG. 5, the portions of the adjustable headboard frame that are covered by the covering 520 are shown in dotted lines and the portions of the adjustable headboard frame that are not covered by the covering are shown in solid lines.

The covering may be composed of a flexible substance such as fabric, leather, or cloth. The covering may also be shaped as a large pocket, envelope, or cup shape so that covering describes a tall, narrow internal slot that the adjustable headboard frame 100 may be inserted into. Alternatively, the covering may be affixed to the headboard, for example using pins or bolts through eyeholes or slits in the covering. Also, the covering may be a band this is slipped around the adjustable headboard and wraps around the lateral sides of the left frame element 110 and right frame element 120. Such a band may include an elastic or rubber spring element so that once the band is stretched over the left and right frame elements 110, 120 the tension of the spring element engages the band onto the frame elements. The covering or band may be of a variety of colors, textures, or patterns.

Additionally, the covering may be sized for a specific mattress size, or may be adjustable using ties, straps, or fasteners such as Velcro, for example. In this fashion, the covering may be re-sized so that it covers any of the available sizes that the adjustable headboard frame may assume. Thus, the adjustable headboard frame may be packaged and sold with an adjustable headboard covering to make and adjustable headboard.

Additionally, although in the example above the consumer or purchaser of the adjustable headboard frame 100 is setting it up, the retailer or other installation professional may alternatively set up the adjustable headboard frame.

Additionally, although in the example above the sizes of the spacers were selected so that the total width of the adjustable headboard frame 100 when constructed is substantially similar to the width of the corresponding mattress size, the total width of the adjustable headboard frame 100 need not accord to a specific width. For example, although the standard widths include 41 inches for twin-size, 55 inches for full-size, 62 inches for queen-size, and 78 inches for king-size, the total width of the adjustable headboard frame 100 need not correspond precisely to those widths. For example, the adjustable headboard frame may be sized to provide additional width beyond that of the respective mattress size, or may be sized to be less wide than the respective mattress size.

FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative multi-part spacer 200 for use in the adjustable headboard frame 100 of FIG. 1. The multi-part spacer 200 includes a base spacer element 210, a first supplemental spacer 220, and a second supplemental spacer 230. The multi-part spacer 200 may be substituted for the top spacer 132 and bottom spacer 134 of the embodiment of FIG. 1. That is, in the alternative embodiment of FIG. 2, the top spacer 132 and bottom spacer 144 shown in FIG. 1 are preferably one piece structures, and the king-size spacers are preferably distinct parts from the queen-size and other spacers. However, in an alternative embodiment, spacers of different sizes may be formed by attaching supplemental spacer elements to a base spacer component.

For example, FIG. 2 illustrates a base spacer element 210 that is sized for a twin-size bed. Thus, the twin-sized spacer 210 may be attached to the left frame element 110 and right frame element 120 to form an adjustable headboard frame preferably having a width sized for a twin-sized bed. In this fashion, the twin-sized spacer 210 takes the place of the top spacer 132 and the bottom spacer 134 of FIG. 1.

The base spacer element 210 may be a flat panel and may be composed of a rigid material such as wood, plastic, or metal. Alternatively, the base spacer element 210 may be a framework structure, such as a square composed of hollow metal tubes.

Further, if the user desires to use the adjustable headboard frame in conjunction with a bed that is larger than a twin, then the total spacer length may be increased from twin-size to a greater desired size. For example, the twin-sized base spacer 210 may be connected to a full-size supplemental spacer 220. The combination of the base-spacer 210 and the full-size supplemental spacer 220 provides a total spacer width so that when the two spacers are connected to the left frame element 110 and the right frame element 120, the total width of the adjustable headboard frame 100 is preferably sized for a full-sized bed.

Preferably, the supplemental spacer attaches to the base spacer where the edge of the supplemental spacer contacts the base spacer. The spacers may be connected by pins or hooks, for example.

Further supplemental spacers such as queen-size supplemental spacer 230 may be attached to the supplemental full-size spacer 220 in order to provide a total spacing size that preferably corresponds to a queen-sized or king-sized bed.

That is, the base spacer 210 each spacer may be lengthened by installing the 220 supplemental spacer. For example, if the adjustable headboard frame 100 is to be used with a full sized bed, then a user may simply attach the first supplemental spacer 220 to the base spacer 210 to form a spacer having a total length that is similar to the full-sized spacer that is used in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Further, when a user desired to use the adjustable headboard with a queen size bed, the second supplemental spacer 230 may be attached to the first supplemental spacer 220 which is attached to the base spacer 210 in order to form a spacer having a total length that is similar to the queen-sized spacer that is used in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

An additional supplemental spacer may also be attached to the second supplemental spacer to form a king-sized spacer. Further, in an alternative embodiment, the supplemental spacers may be sized to attach to the base spacer directly, with attaching to additional supplemental spacer.

Additionally, although FIG. 2 illustrates the supplemental spacers as panels, the same principle may be applied to the preferably tube-shaped spacers of FIG. 1. For example, instead of four separate sets of spacers as shown in FIG. 1, a base spacer sized for a twin-sized bed may be provided and spacer extenders may then be attached to the base spacer to increase the total spacer distance.

For example, the base spacer may be a spacer sized for a twin sized bed and may have a threaded end for receiving an additional spacer is desired. Consequently, when the user desires to set up the adjustable headboard frame for a full-size bed, the user may then attach an additional spacer to the base spacer by threading the additional spacer into the threaded end of the base spacer. The total length of the base spacer plus the additional spacer is the same as that of the full spacer 150 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Further larger spacer sizes may be accommodated by threading a second additional spacer onto the first additional spacer and the base spacer to form a total spacer length equal to the queen-sized spacer and so on for the kin-sized spacer.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an adjustable headboard frame 300. The adjustable headboard frame 300 of FIG. 3 includes a left frame 310, a right frame 320, a first set of spacers 330, a second set of spacers 340, and a center piece 350.

In operation, the adjustable headboard 300 of FIG. 3 is assembled by connecting the left frame 310 to the first set of spacers 330 and then connecting the first set of spacers 330 to the center piece 350 and then connecting the center piece 350 to the second set of spacers 340 and finally connecting the second set of spacers 340 to the right frame 320.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1 in that sets of twin, full, queen, and king sized spacers may be employed to alter the width of the assembled headboard to conform to the desired bed width. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, sets of four spacer elements for each size are employed instead of sets of two spacer elements as shown in FIG. 1.

That is, the length of the twin-sized spacer 160 of FIG. 1 is preferably the same as the width of the first set of twin-sized spacers 330, center piece 350, and second set of twin-sized spacers 340 of FIG. 3. Similarly, the length of the queen-sized spacer 140 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is preferably the same as the width of the first set of queen-sized spacers, center piece, and second set of queen-sized spacers in FIG. 3.

Additionally, although the center piece 350 is shown as a panel in FIG. 3, the center piece may be any rigid structure such as a pole or support. For example, the center piece may extend down to the ground like the lower legs of the left frame element 110 and right frame element 120 in order to provide additional support and rigidity for the adjustable headboard frame 110.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a right frame element 400 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The right frame element 400 includes a top frame element 410, a central frame element 420, a bottom frame element 430, and a frame leg 440. The frame leg 440 includes a mattress frame attachment section 450. The mattress frame attachment section 450 is shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 1 and includes several attachment points 452-460.

In operation, the top frame element 410, central frame element 420, bottom frame element 430, and frame leg 440 may be purchased by the consumer as individual frame sections or may be pre-assembled to form the right frame element 400. If the right frame element 400 is pre-assembled, then the sections of the right frame element may be joined together by permanent connections liked welds or adhesives or may be connected by non-permanent connections such as bolts, pins, hooks, or other attachments. If the right frame element is purchased in its individual sections, then the sections may be joined together by a user using bolts, pins, hooks, spring pins, male-female ends with bolt and nylon locking nuts, or other attachments. If the sections of the right frame element are not pre-assembled when they are purchased by the user, then the right frame element is considered a “knock-down” frame in industry parlance.

The mattress frame connection provides several attachment points 452-460 so that a consumer may attach their mattress frame at any of a plurality of heights from the floor. Some example heights for the attachment points 452-460 include: 5, 7.5, 9, 10, and 12 inched from the floor or bottom of the frame leg 440. Other heights may be employed if desired. Further, the attachment point height that is selected may be predicated upon the legs that are available for the opposite end of the mattress frame away from the headboard. Alternatively, the adjustable headboard frame may be packaged with legs of adjustable height in order to allow a user to select and of a plurality of the attachment points to secure their mattress frame.

The attachment points may be threaded connectors that accept a threaded bolt to fasten the mattress frame to the frame leg. Additional connections such as pins or bolts may also be employed.

As mentioned above, the structure of the frame elements may be a tube of metal, such as a square tube, for example. Further, the diameters or the tubes that comprise the various sections of the adjustable headboard frame may be of varying widths, strengths, and/or structure. For example, the central frame element 420 may be of a lesser diameter and the frame leg may be of a greater diameter.

Thus, one or more embodiments of the present adjustable headboard frame are highly desirable at least because 1) they allow multiple sizes of headboard frame to be provided in a single convenient packaging, which allows mass-market retailers to stock headboards—unlike prior art headboards that are purchased individually for a specific size of mattress. Further, the headboard frames may be “knock-down” and easily assembled by a consumer or user.

Further, by combining the adjustable headboard frame with and adjustable covering, an adjustable headboard is provided that may be sized by the user to fit any of the standard sizes of mattresses—providing great convenience for the user.

While particular elements, embodiments, and applications of the present invention have been shown and described, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto because modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to cover such modifications and incorporate those features which come within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. An adjustable headboard frame system including: a left frame element; a right frame element; and a plurality of sets of spacers, wherein each of said plurality of sets of spacers is installable between said left frame element and said right frame element to assemble said left frame element, right frame element, and set of spacers into a headboard frame, wherein said plurality of sets of spacers include a first set of spacers having a first length, and a second set of spacers having a second length different from said first length.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said left frame element and said right frame element includes a frame leg supporting said frame element.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein said frame leg includes a plurality of attachment points for attaching a mattress frame to said frame leg, wherein said plurality of attachment points are located at least two different heights along said frame leg.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said left frame element and said right frame element is composed of a plurality of sections that are assembled by a consumer to construct said frame element.
 5. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of sets of spacers includes spacers that are tube-shaped.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein said set of spacers includes two tube-shaped spacers.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein said tube-shaped spacers are positioned between said left frame element and said right frame element with one of said spacers positioned horizontally at the tops of said frame elements and one of said spacers positioned horizontally at the bottoms of said frame elements.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of sets of spacers includes a base spacer panel.
 9. The system of claim 1 further including a covering, wherein said covering positioned over said adjustable headboard frame to form an adjustable headboard.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein said covering is adjustable to a plurality of different sizes.
 11. A method of forming an adjustable headboard, said method including: receiving a plurality of sets of spacers, wherein said plurality of sets of spacers include a first set of spacers having a first length, and a second set of spacers having a second length different from said first length; selecting a selected set of spacers from said plurality of sets of spacers; and installing said selected set of spacers between a left frame element and a right frame element to form a headboard frame, wherein any of said plurality of sets of spacers installable between said left frame element and said right frame element.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one of said left frame element and said right frame element includes a frame leg supporting said frame element.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said frame leg includes a plurality of attachment points for attaching a mattress frame to said frame leg, wherein said plurality of attachment points are located at least two different heights along said frame leg.
 14. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one of said left frame element and said right frame element is composed of a plurality of sections, and further including assembling said plurality of sections to construct said frame element.
 15. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one of said plurality of sets of spacers includes spacers that are tube-shaped.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said set of spacers includes two tube-shaped spacers.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said installing includes positioning said tube-shaped spacers between said left frame element and said right frame element with one of said spacers positioned horizontally at the tops of said frame elements and one of said spacers positioned horizontally at the bottoms of said frame elements.
 18. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one of said plurality of sets of spacers includes a base spacer panel.
 19. The method of claim 11 further including positioning a covering over said adjustable headboard frame to form an adjustable headboard.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein said covering is adjustable to a plurality of different sizes. 